i am  hoping to put in my order to mudhole.com tomorrow, and was wondering about guides.  i have decided on alconites and was wondering which sizes?  would going w/ one of the kits be good or not?  i want the guides to be a good fit and look good.  if the kit is a bad idea which sizes probably fit well on my blank.  

it is an allstar 6'8" MH/fast blank.  

any info would be greatly appreciated.....thanks in advance

aggiebassin,

I could give you my spacings and guide sizes that I use on certain blanks, but because each blank has it's own characteristics and a static stress test should be done for proper guide spacing. I wouldn't even try here.

Have you read the book Rod-Building Guide by Tom Kirkman. If not then I would suggest that when you call mudhole tomorrow instead of ordering a guide kit, that you order that book. It will be the best $14.95 you have ever invested. I don't know any newbie to old salt custom builders that don't have that book in their library.

Read it you won't regret it.  

Part of your question will depend on if you build a conventional rod (guides on top) or one of the various spiral wraps.  Your guide sizes and numbers will be different depending on how you design it.  I agree with ReelMech, Kirkman's book is a way to greatly shorten the learning curve and avoid making some mistakes.  You can borrow mine if you like.  Just don't lose it!  ...lol

As to your original question, I don't like the guide kits... I haven't built a rod yet that ended up with the size and numbers of guides in those kits.  Besides, Alconites aren't very expensive so if you end up with a couple left over (they will probably be 1 or 2 of the size 6 or 7) it's only a few dollars wasted if you don't return them.  

aggie,

i agree w/reelmech & flechero about tom kirkman's book - it is a "must have" tool.

HOWEVER, there is some FANTASTIC help, right here on this board, e.g., look at the articles that reelmech has posted where he Tells you & Shows you trick/hints, etc., that will be invaluable in your building.

then, just browse some of the posts made by flech (esp, the ones to me! LOL) and you've got Tons of help.

i'm telling you, you don't have to go far to get Good Info!

also, i've found that i can read articles in the library @ rodbuilding.org that are Super - e.g. "New Guide Concept Primer" by tom k & "Static Guide Placement" also by mr kirkman.  .....DO Yourself a favor & read both of these before placing guides!

to me, it was/is, So overwhelming, til i didn't know the questions to ask.  however, i found that if i would ask specific questions, there was always someone willing to give me an answer.  ...i've printed out many posts & have them on my work table, just so i can have them close at hand when i need them.  

you're at a good place to learn how to work on/build rods!